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Interview
BETO VAZQUEZ INFINITY
(Questionnaire by PATRICK DE SLOOVER)
A talk with
BETO VAZQUEZ (Bass/ Guitars)
METAL TO INFINITY
Q: This is probably my maiden interview with a musician from Argentina. Would be a cool idea to give us some background information about your local area, the average metal fan in Argentina, and how the scene looks like?
BV: The scene is quiet great, there's a lot of shows, international an Local band's as well, the average metal fan in here, is passioned and goes to all the show's that can afford, as were never know if the band's will come back.
Q: Am I correct that Latin America is mainly interested in melodic metal. Most of the metal fans are into the kind of sing-along metal hymns?
BV: The Argentina audience is indeed a really hot crow, it takes with to much passion what is music within all the styles, as for hymns yes is exactly as you mention it.
Q: How did you start your musical career? What instrument decided that you want to aim for a life of music, strings, frets and music notes?
BV: Since my early beginning my instrument was always the bass guitar, i never had any doubt about what i like , nor over the instrument that walked with me all this years . Or now that i play others...
Q: Did you play in other bands before you started your very own Beto Vazquez Infinity? If so, did you record with them as well, and what was the musical direction?
BV: First i had a heavy thrash metal band with all Argentina musicians, with a sound more raw and direct. Named Nepal, With this band i did 3 CD's, After it i dedicate my musical career on Beto Vazquez Infinity.
Q: When did you get the idea to start your own band, perhaps it's better to announce it as your own project?
BV: I always say the same , that i have a band/project, as it works in both ways, this allow me to switch between musicians in studio and is shows and either way give them the musical direction that I like the most.
Q: The name Beto Vazquez Infinity, indicates a lot. It can be compared with the name of our webzine Metal To Infinity. There are no borders, no limits, no restrictions. The reviews and interviews that we do are infinite. Do you agree that you chose the name with the same intention as we did?
BV: Absolutely, is first time that some one ask me and is 100 % right in the definition of the name. Congrats!!!!
Q: You worked with a steady line up and with a lot of guest musicians. How do you decide which one is a permanent member, and which one isn't?
BV: There's a lot of them that work in they're own bands and i do respect that a lot, but if your talking of Jessica Lehto, my singer. Is because when i worked with her i end up impressed of how fast, reliable of her work and commitment as well the quality of her voice and how she did understood my music. Hence i decided to name her stable band member.
Q: In Holland we have Ayreon who is composing in a similar way. In Germany, there was Avantasia from Tobias Sammet, and I'm sure that there are a few more artists that like to work with guest vocalists, every time they enter the recording studio. Do you know Ayreon and Avantasia, and what is your idea about their music?
BV: Of course i know them as I'm sure they do know me. I think they're both excellent.
Q: Both you and Arjen worked together with Marcela Bovio! Perhaps you got in touch with here thanks to Ayreon?
BV: NO, definitely NO, i contact Marcela myself over her personal Myspace. I talk to her about if she was willing to collaborate with this Album and she kindly accepted and did an excellent job.
Q: On you first album, with the same title as the band, you invited Tarja Turunen from Nightwish. How was the collaboration between both?
BV: With no problems, i showed her the songs and she agreed on sung them, not any kind of troubles in she collaborating with me neither.
Q: Are you still in contact with her after the departure from Nightwish?
BV: Yes, from time to time , she comes to my house and when she plays in Argentina I'm normally invited to her shows, She's a very sweet and adorable person.
Q: Can you mention some names that you wanted to work with for this third album, but didn't succeed to get their helping hand?
BV: All the artist that i did wanted for this record are in this Album , when i ask them and they agreed to work with me, is a compromise that they take.
Q: What is your biggest surprise from the huge list of people that you worked with? Marcela Bovio was a real discovery, Arjen once told me! Perhaps you have the same feeling when you enter the studio with someone to work with? Some musicians are really convincing when you hear them live at work!
BV: My great discover was Jessica Lehto. Anyway everybody did a great job!!
Q: what is the main difference between the new album ''Darkmind'' and the previous two albums?
BV: DARKMIND has a great production, is a little bit dark in some songs that the previous Albums , and the Argentina edition is Limited, Trip-tic Digipack, with 24 Booklet pages, plus a promotional Poster that goes along with the Album. And a lot of people appreciate it as it is a very special packaging, and it has a more actual sound style.
Q: Can you tell us how the previous two albums were received by press and fans?
BV: Normally the press and people get it very well, some like it more or less, as they're personal state, but I'm quiet satisfied with both results.
Q: What about the expectations for Darkmind? A third albums is normally a 'make it or break it' release? Is this the most important release to date?
BV: Yes I agreed with your appreciation, and I'm really satisfied with the final product, and definitely is the best record i did so far.
Q: I was really surprised about the sound of the album. Great sound, perfect production and a very good mix of the songs. Who was responsible for this technical finishing touch?
BV: The Album was totally recorded in my Studio, I personally did all the Recordings, and the Mix was in charge of Rodolfo Matias König and Mastered by Toto Strapporava. At PM Estudios. (El pie Estudios)... I think we did a good team the 3 of us and the Album end up really good.
Q: Will the album be available outside South America as well, or is it difficult to get distribution deals?
BV: For the moment were selling it across South America and in our Official Sites with Paypal Sistem, currently were in conversations with a German distributor , to see if we can place it better in Europe.
Q: And what about the promotion? Do you work it out on your own, or do you have a kind of staff that is taking care of it?
BV: I got a team, that works for me in where each person take care of his part, for press staff I got Lola Nagel.
Q: I got in touch with a girl named Lola. She invited me to give you some exposure in the webzine and some spins on the radio. Perhaps Lola is the manager of Beto Vazquez Infinity?
BV: NO, Lola just handles the press and promotion issues, all the my staff contacts are in our official sites, so everybody can get in touch with us as i was telling you we work as a team.
Q: How about gigs? Working with so many people must result in a difficult scenario to bring the songs live on a stage?
BV: That is why when i do play live I got a professional band set up ready to g with qualified and professional musicians, and if it happens we tour in a country in where one of the guest musicians lives, it will be invited to perform for the song he/her played on the Album.
Q: Is it the next goal that you want to reach, performing live and playing those tracks for an audience, or do you prefer to work in a studio and write new material?
BV: I normally like better to work on my studio, because people outside my country , know me better and has more expectations for my next Album
As they cant usually reach them, I know this in this way were connected with them, with the audience, as they cant see us live, anyhow i will love to play for them and get to them outside Argentina. Right now new recordings are taking all my time.
Q: What is the definition of a good Beto Vazquez Infinity song? What are the needed ingredients?
BV: Is very hard to chose one, because all of them has a special meaning , and I'll be impossible to name just one, but a fine example should be Tales of the Black Tower (from FLYING TOWARDS THE NEW HORIZON Album).
Q: The new album is titled Darkmind. Is it because the songs are a little more darker, and perhaps also a little more heavier than the previous material?
BV: Actually is for both things, i believe that from the cover Album we can see a little bit of what is inside, and it does suggest with what you will find out for music inside.
Q: We were talking about three albums, but in fact, you recorded four albums. What's the problem with the unreleased ''Space Without Limits''?
BV: Space Without Limits, has business and mixing problems, as well production problems from my old record label.
Q: Is there any chance that you will use the songs of that album in the near future, or do they sound to much dated?
BV: In fact I already use some of them in Flying Toward the New Horizon and in DARKMIND, but reversioned and with new elements
Q: What are the plans for the upcoming months and the year 2010?
BV: In this very moment i find myself recording new material and demos and calling the new guest musicians for the next Album. In the way that I work which is very maratonic or a big puzzle between one Album and the other, i only has a few months to rest, if it weren't for this way of work the Albums will be released with more space in between, and now that i finally manage to relocate myself again in the recording rhythm i rather work hard so my Albums don't take longer to come out.
Q: I do hope that you will be able to accomplish your dreams and that you keep up the good work and bring us great songs and great music in the future! Thanks for your time, and perhaps there is one last thing that you want to add before we end this interview?
BV: I do thank you for your word, and I really do care about my records make it to the people's heart, and i thank you again for the interview, so people in Belgica can get to know better how I think, and a little bit more of my way of thinking.
Q: Take care and let the music flow!
Thanks, is what i usually try to do, and good luck for you to!
Hugs